A week in the life of a chemical engineering undergraduate

From lectures to laboratory-based practicals and personal tutorials, discover what a typical week looks like as a first-year BEng or MEng chemical engineering student at Surrey.

Credit: University of Surrey

How will I be taught?

Your teaching will be delivered through a combination of tutorials, lectures, laboratory-based practicals, group work and online learning. You'll receive approximately 10 contact hours each week.

You’ll also be expected to carry out independent study, including coursework, running specialist software and reading. We have a range of study spaces available, including our library, open 24/7, and more relaxed spaces like the new Hillside Coffee café.

What will I be taught?

A typical week in Semester 1 will cover the following modules: Mass and Energy Balances; Engineering Materials and Sustainability; Mathematics; and Science Principles for Engineers. Laboratory sessions are a key feature of Semester 2.

Read more about our undergraduate chemical engineering courses.

I really like the small tutorial classes and the fact that they are so interactive. Being put into groups for coursework projects has helped me to make new friends in every year of studying. Imogen Slinn, Chemical Engineering MEng

What about other interests? Will I have time for those during the week?

That’s what Wednesdays are for: you have most of the day to focus on sporting, society or employability events. Students have access to more than 180 student clubs and societies, with interests ranging from mixed martial arts to mah jong, and poker to politics. A great way to meet other Chemical Engineering students is through the ChemEng society, which organises social events throughout the year.

Nearby Surrey Sports Park is a £36m facility, offering state-of-the-art training facilities such as a climbing wall and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

What’s life like outside lectures?

We’re a campus university so everything you need is within a five-minute walk, including the Students’ Union building, grocery shopping, wellbeing and support services, the launderette and the medical centre.

Guildford’s picturesque cobbled high street boasts a wide range of shops and restaurants, plus an excellent range of pubs and a busy nightlife. The town is also only a 35-minute train journey to London.

Expect more

Find out why you should expect more at Surrey and when our next undergraduate open days will be.

Disclaimer: The modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication and may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.